Improvement in sheet-metal cans



Patented June 13, 1876.

J. F. MERRILL.

SHEET-METAL CANS.

B u l M i A iltiziiltit JOHN F. MERRILL, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHEET-METAL CANS Specification forming part of LettersPatent No. 178,544, dated June 13, 1876 application filed June 21, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. MERRILL, of Cincinnati, Hamilton county,Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sheet- Metal Cans, ofwhich the following is a speci-' fication:

This invention relates to that class of sheetmetal cans in which thetrough or channel for containing solder, wax, cement, or other sealingagent is formed out of the same piece of metal that constitutes the bodyof the can, and my improvement comprises the following arrangement ofparts: First, the trough proper, which projects outwardly and upwardlyfrom the body of the can, and whose outer wall is composed of twothicknesses of metal, so bent and pressed tightly together as to afforda .firm and durable channel, having a smooth and rounded tin-platedupper edge or margin,which is not liable to be oxidized by exposure toacids and the atmosphere, nor to be sprung or den ted in the act ofremoving the wax or other luting preliminary to detaching the cap;secondly,

the neck, which is a continuation of the same piece ofmetal'thatcomposes the body and the doubly-thickened trough, said neckbeing of the same internal diameter as the body of the can, or nearlyso, so as to afford ample room for filling, emptying, and cleansing thereceptacle, and presenting no corner or cavity for the lodgment ofmatter. This can-body, the stiffened trough, and the co-radial neck areformed from a single piece of sheet metal, in the manner hereinafterexplained.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing thefirst step in the construction of my improved trough, the sheet-metalbody being represented in its cylindrical form, and having a bead formedupon it. Fig. 2 is a vertical section, showing the beaded body locatedwithin a suitable holder or clamp, and about to be struck by thedescending die. Fig. 3 is a similar section, but showing the shape thebead assumes as soon as it is struck by the die. Fig. 4 is a verticalsection through the upper part of the can after removal from the holder.Fig. 5 shows the finished can, with the lid applied thereto, and securedin position, and rendered air-tight by means of wax or other luting.

Of the above illustrations Figs. 4 and 5 are to adarger scale than Figs.1, 2, and 3.

The sheets A, of tin or other pliable metal, are first cut of a suitablesize, and then placed between a pair of rolls, such as ordinarily usedby tinners, and brought to a cylindrical shape, after which anoutwardlyprojecting bead, B, is rolled, spun,or otherwise formed nearone end of said sheet, as shown in Fig. 1.

Instead, however, of employing two separate and distinct operations forbringing the sheet of metal into this shape, the proper form may beimparted to it by a pair of creasing-rolls. The beaded cylindrical bodyA B, with its unsoldered seam O, is then dropped down around a mandrelor core, D, the lower edge of said body resting upon a table, bed-plate,or other suitable support, E. A two-part clamp, F F, having acounter-bore, G, at its upper end, is then brought to bear against theexterior of body A, so as to cause its vertical sides to hug the core Dvery snugly, the bead B occupying said counter-bore G, but withoutcoming in contact with the clamp. This stage of the process is shown inFig. 2. The body of the can having been thus securely clamped inposition, a vertically-actin g plunger or die, H, is brought to bearupon the upper surface of the bead B, so as to bend the metal downwardand inward toward the core D, as seen in Fig. 3. This vertically-actingdie may be operated either by a screw-press or drop-press, or by anyother suitable appliance. Immediately upon the elevation of the-die theclamp F F is opened, and the body A B is lifted from the mandrel D, orit may be automatically disengaged by the action of a spring. Uponremoval from the clamp and core the body A will be found to have aconcave and annular trough, I, having a smooth, rounded, and tincoveredmargin, 41, and a neck, J, whose interior is flush, or nearly so, withthat of said body, as shown in Fig. 4. The seam O is now soldered, thebottom K applied in the usual manner, and the can is at once ready forthe lid or cap L. To apply this cap its downwardly-projecting flange orrim Z is fitted over the neck J ,and the trough I being then filled withsealing-wax M or other luting in the usual manner of sealing hermeticalvessels. This sealed condition of the can is shown in Fig. 5. The neck Jbeing practically flush, or of the same diameter with the body A, it ismanifest that the interior may be cleansed with the utmost facility,and, there being no ledge, projection, or receding angle at its mouth,there can be no accumulation of materials to rust out the sheet metal.

The trough, being composed of two thicknesses of metal, is extra strong,and constitutes a stifi'ening-rib, to protect the can in transportationand use, and secures the body against collapse from atmosphericpressure. The upper edge or rim of said troughs outer wall presents asmooth, rounded, and tin-plated surface, not liable to oxidize, easilyhandled, strong, and neat in appearance.

The can, instead of being constructed by the instrumentalities hereindescribed, may be manufactured by means of suitable creasingrolls, soformed and arranged as to bend and swage the metal into the desiredshape. I

I am aware that glass jars have been formed with a trough similar tomine; but my invention consists in constructing sheet-metal cans With atrough, in the manner specified.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is A r 1. The process herein describedforconstructing a sheet-metal can by passin ga suitable sheet of metalthrough rolls to form an outwardlyprojecting bead, placing the sheetaround a core, having a support surrounding the sheet with a clamp,having a counter-bore, and striking the upper surface of the head, asand for the purpose set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, and an improvementin theconstruction of sheet-metal cans, the trough I, exterior to the body,and whose outer wall is constituted of two thicknesses, formed bycompression of an outer bulge from the body, and has a rim or margin,

1;, having a rounded surface of tinned iron, formed by the bend of saidthicknesses, as set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

JOHN F. MERRILL. Attest:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, JAMES H. LAYMAN.

